A regional workshop titled “The Repercussions of Wars and Armed Conflicts on Women and Girls in the Arab World: From Pain, Hope Grows” commenced in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Tuesday. Organised by the Arab Women Organisation in collaboration with the Ministry of State for Women’s Affairs of the Government of National Unity, the event coincides with the launch of a major regional report, Caught in Conflict: The Status of Violence Against Women and Girls in Arab States.
The workshop saw the participation of women’s delegations from several conflict-affected Arab nations, including Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan, Yemen, and Iraq. The programme featured a visual presentation on the Libyan experience and a detailed briefing on the methodology of the Caught in Conflict study, which analyses the reality of violence faced by women in war zones.
Houria Al-Tarmal, Minister of State for Women’s Affairs and current President of the Executive Council of the Arab Women Organisation, stated that the workshop’s title reflects the bitter reality for millions of women facing intersecting humanitarian, psychological, and economic challenges. Al-Tarmal emphasised that protecting and empowering women is no longer an “option” but an ethical, security, and developmental necessity for ensuring sustainable peace. She argued that women are not merely victims of conflict but essential actors in reconstruction and the entrenchment of a culture of dialogue.
The Director General of the Arab Women Organisation noted that Libya’s hosting of the event stems from the specific nature of the country’s current transitional phase. She suggested that the Libyan experience in recovery and peace-building could serve as an inspiring model for other Arab states, stressing the importance of relying on national studies to develop realistic policies that address the priorities of affected societies.
The workshop concluded with the assertion that achieving peace is a collective responsibility that requires amplifying the voices of Arab women. Participants called for effective partnerships between governments, international organisations, and civil society to translate theoretical recommendations into tangible programmes that alleviate the suffering of women and girls across the Arab world.
